Warp corrector for table tops



July 8, 1952 F. M. BRANDON WARP CORRECTOR FOR TABLE TOPS Filed April 23, 1951 IN V EN TOR.

n Y 0. E WWW 7t wvnm M k M H mm Y B Patented July 8, 1952 1 ESTATE r, QWIARPICORRECTOR FOR TABLE TOPS :1 Frank M. Brandon,

' lporation of Kentucky f "Application April 23,

4 Claims.

- In refectory end leaf extension tables, the table top is secured in spaced relation to the top rails, and. the end leaf in retracted position fits in the space between the tabletop and top rails. Should the table top. warp lbydishing of the top surface, the bottom surface of the table will bear against the end leaf and=prevent its removal, while if the warping takes the form of an upward bow, the side edges of the table top will engage the leaf and prevent its removal.

It is an object of this invention to provide an extension leaf table incorporating means to prei'ent warpage of the table top in either direcion.

A further object is the provision of means to correct warpage of the table top in either direction.

In accordance with the present invention I provide a stay for the table top, this stay being secured to or anchored to the table top near the middle near one end leaf of the table, and being secured toa relatively rigid abutment fastened to the rails of the table. The stay preferably is adjustable so that if warpage takes place the stay can be adjusted in either direction as required to correct the warpage, and it can be locked in such position. Each end of the table is provided with a similar stay construction so that warping of the table at either end can be prevented or controlled.

The invention will be described in greater detail in connection with the accompanying drawing showing a preferred embodiment of the invention by way of example, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a portion of a table embodying the invention;

Figure 2 is an end elevation of Figure l as viewed from the right with the leaf retracted and with the dished position of the table top shown on an exaggerated scale in dot-and-dash lines;

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 with the bowed position of the table top shown on an exaggerated scale in dot-and-dash lines;

Figure 4 is a section taken on line 4-4 of Figure 1; and

Figure 5 is a bottom view of a detail.

Referring to the drawing, there is shown an end extension table frame comprising legs I joined by side rails 2, 2 and end rails 3 in any suitable manner. Spacer plates 4, 4' are positioned over the side rails 2, 2, and the table top 5 is fastened to the spacer plates to provide at each end a space 6 for reception of an extension leaf 1 in retracted position. In

Anchorage, Ky., assignor to Consider H. Willett, Inc.,

Louisville, Ky., a cor- 1951, Serial No. 222,498

Figure 1 the extension leaf. is shown in full lines in extended position, and is shown indot-anddash lines in retracted position. Various types of mechanisms are known for supporting the extension leaf to allow its retraction, so that no details of such mechanism needbe explained.

Referring to- Figure 2, the end leaf 1 is shown in retracted position resting on the top of the side and end rails with a slight working clearance space 8 between the end leaf 1 and the table top 5 shown in full lines. The position of the table top when it' is dished by warping is shown in dot-and-dash lines, the warping and clearance space being shown on an exaggerated scale for better clarity. It will be noted that under such condition themiddle of the table top bears upon the end leaf at. 9 so as to interfere with or prevent withdrawal of the leaf from the space between the rails and table top. In Figure 3, the table top is bowed upwardly at the middle so that the endsof the table topv bear on the'endle'af at H, H so as to interfere with the withdrawal of the leaf. The present invention corrects this warping, and now will be described.

Referring to Figures 1, 4 and 5, the table top near each end has an undercut keyhole slot 12 in the bottom surface, this slot comprising an entrance portion l'2a, which may be circular; recessed slots l3, l3 providing flanges on either side of the keyway; and a ceiling part l4. A bolt l5 having a circular head it is located in this slot with the head extending into the slots I3, l3, and the shank extending through the keyhole. The circular portion l2a enables the bolt head to be inserted. A bar I! extends under the table top in spaced relation and is secured at its ends in any desired manner to the side rails 2, 2 of the table. At the middle this bar has a hole l8 therethrough, through which extends the shank of the bolt, and wing nuts l9, l9 are threaded on the shank.

The operation of the invention now will be described. Assuming the table top is dished as represented in Figure 2, the lower wing nut I9 is turned to move it toward the end of the bolt, and upper wing nut I9 is turned in the same direction. The engagement of wing nut l9 against the bar 11 pushes upward on the bolt until the head abuts the table top or ceiling l4, and by further turning thenut the pressure of the bolt raises the middle of the table top. However, as the table top is fastened at its sides to the spacer plates 4, 4, it results in undishing the table top, and thus the end leaf is freed of the pressure of the table top thereon. The lower nut l9 then is turned up to lock the bolt in this position.

If the table top is bowed, the upper nut I9 is first turned upward, and then lower nut I9 is turned upward to abut the bar I! and draw down the bolt head against the flanges of the slot. Further turningv of the nut [9 then unbows the table top to relieve the pressure at the ends II, II.

Although I have shown the bolt head inserted in a keyhole slot in the underside of the table top, the bolt head may be secured to the underside of the table top in any other desired manner. For example, the keyhole may be in a separate piece, or if desired, a simple block or strap with a hole in it may be used to position the bolt. Various other modifications may be made in the invention without departing from the spirit thereof.

I claim as my invention:

1. An extension table comprising a table top: side-and end rails forming a rectangle and legs secured to said rails at the corners thereof to form a support for the table top, the table top being fastened to the side rails in spaced rela-- tion thereto to provide a space between the table top and the end rail for reception of a slideable extension leaf in retracted position; a transverse bar secured to said side rails between the end rails and in spaced relation to said table top; a threaded stay bolt carried at one end by said bar; means on the underside of the table top securing one end of said stay bolt thereto; a pair of abutments movable along the bolt so that upon selective relative turning in one direction between the bolt and one abutment a force is applied to the table top in one direction to overcome bowing thereof, and upon relativ turning in the other direction between the bolt and the other-abutment a bowing force is applied to the table top in the other direction to correct dishing thereof.

2. A table as specified in claim 1 wherein said stay bolt has a head at one end, and the means securing one end of said bolt to the table top comprises an undercut slot in the underface of the table top to receive said head and hold said bolt against rotation.

3. A table as specified in claim 2 wherein said slot is of generally keyholeshape.

4. An extension table comprising a table top; side and end rails forming a rectangle and legs secured to said rails at the corners thereof to form a support for the table top, the table top being fastened to the side rails in spaced relation thereto to provide a space between the table top and the end rail for reception of a slideable extension leaf in retracted position; a transverse bar secured to said side rails between the end rails and in spaced relation to said table top; a headed threaded staybolt having its head secured to said table topand its threaded end extending through an opening in said bar; and nuts threaded on said bolt on opposite. sides of said bar to engage said bar and which are selectively rotatable to move said bolt lengthwise and apply a correcting force in either direction to the table top contrarywise to warping thereof, to maintain a clearance space between the table top and slideable leaf.

FRANK M. BRANDON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS. 

